Never Without

Doing without - as it relates to much of the world, as Americans most of us know little of this. When Mister Bill and I moved to an older-smaller homes several years ago, I learned to "do without" a dishwasher. Fortunately, I'm only washing for two now instead of five! Another doing "without" I've learned as an adult child is life without my parents. Losing them was hard but losing the last one hit hardest; as my youngest sister said, I suddenly felt "homeless." As a Child of the Living God, I'm so thankful I'll never know the sense of loss, homelessness nor spiritual doing "without." Before Jesus left His followers from this earth, He said: "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20 ESV). Great news that He is with us; the key word in Jesus' promise, however, is "always." Never a moment, a circumstance, a situation nor season will we be "without" Him. He is always present. Perhaps the best part of that promise is that when we struggle and even grieve the "without" moments of life here, we are not "without" His Presence. Whatever "without" you are facing right now, there is never a "without" moment for those who have put their faith and confidence in Jesus. He is Lord of all the times of our lives - we are ... never without.

Know Him!

The time draws delightfully near when for a time I will be in one of my favorite spots; it is no accident that this time coincides with my favorite time of year - my birthday season. Yes, I admit - I love my birthday and take care to celebrate it as long as Mister Bill allows. Why do you long for your heavenly home? The most obvious and common answer is the wonders revealed in Scripture - no more death or mourning, no crying or sorrow, all things made new, etc. Surely, we cannot imagine a world such as awaits those who love the Lord and have trusted Him completely! My greatest fear, however, as I consider my eternal home is that I will know so very little of The One Who has gone ahead to prepare that place for my Homecoming. Day after day of life here, has my love for Him grown as it should? When I an finally face-to-face with Him, will there be the joy of full revelation of what I've only known in part till that moment? Oh, I hope so! Perhaps none of us regularly and faithfully sit at His feet, listen for His voice, read the wonders of who He is as revealed in Scripture, seize moments divinely appointed for us ... grown to know The One Who gave Himself for us. "The New Testament writers did not speak of going to heaven so much as of going to be with the Lord." (Vance Havner, Pleasant Paths). My favorite place isn't characterized by just sand and ocean waves - it's the essence, the indescribably qualities that make there ... there. Let me suggest that whatever you and I think Heaven will be is way less than the reality of it - that Heaven is where the Lord is. The longing of our souls for "where He is" will never be any stronger than how much we long to know Him right now. Make growing to know Him a priority ... Know Him! Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Leisurely Listen

Do you remember learning to write? With that [crazy] large pencil onto extra wide-ruled paper, bearing down with steady hand and great care, forming those early letters. What if we applied the same tenacity - unwavering goal of reading The Bible? "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) Note God says to "study" His Word - that's more than just a quick-and-done "read" ... it's a bearing-down to find the hidden treasures. I've often said a "good day" is to sit with a cup of coffee and the open Word. Let's be honest, few of us find enough time when we're to bear-down in study and let The Holy Spirit lead us into the treasures of God's Word. Listen to the words of Vance Havner: "Not for a moment would we discourage hard application and full attention to Bible study. But have not some of its choicest treasures come to us when we sat down just to enjoy it, when we ate its milk and honey because it was good ... There is much in the Book that escapes you if you set out to crash it by a frontal assault." (Pleasant Paths). God's Word is most certainly to be read and studied, memorized and meditated upon; let us not neglect, however, the need to seize moments to just sit quietly with It and listen to the tender teachings of The Holy Spirit as He speaks Its truth to the open and attentive heart. Do not neglect the opportunities to bear-down [in serious study] but always be open and welcome to those times to ... leisurely listen.

Prop Proper

If you've ever been part of a play, you know the importance of props - those things that add to and support the theme or storyline. It's not just the use of props to consider, the right props matter! Standing strong and steadfast in the storms of life is a challenge - best and most successfully done with the right "prop." Jesus said this, "I have chosen you out of the world" (John 15:19). Read what He said once again - take a moment for His words to sink in - dwell on them a bit: chosen by God and made to be the special objects of His divine affection. I suggest there exists nothing more sufficiently capable to ignite and flame the heavy hopelessness of the human soul as such distinguishing love as The Father has for man. Spurgeon says, "Christ Jesus .. the quiet resting places of trembling spirits." We sing, "His oath, His covenant, His blood - Support me in the raging flood - When every earthly prop gives way - This still is all my strength and stay." (Edward Mote, 1834). Altogether and alone, my strength - my stay - the all-sufficient prop of my soul. Christ ... Prop Proper.

Remember Rightly

Days of remembrance can be some of the best! Of course, they can bring you low but when done right, they lend cheer and delight to the heart. So, how exactly do we remember rightly? The psalmist said, "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old" (Psalm 77:11ESV). The first and greatest of all God's wonderful deeds is described in Hebrews 8:12 - He was merciful toward my sin and remembers them no more - what a wonder indeed!  How wonderful that I remember His mercy and He doesn't remember my sin! Oh, but there are so many other wonders to call to mind - His all-sufficiency to provide in incomprehensible and immeasurable ways in every moment of every day of all my life. What a guiding principle for living - remembering His giving then giving with the same merciful generosity to others. I love how Charles Spurgeon describes it: "He gives cartloads to those who give by bushels." On this day of remembrance, I remembered my Mom's giving of the little things - her time for cooking and baking and visiting, her quiet and faithful discipline to hand-write and send cards of encouragement, seeing me and my sisters lacked nothing, keeping Dad's dinner warm when he missed dinner ministering to his flock, her pranks and laughter ... oh, really the list of remembrances is much longer. So, you see, days of remembrance can be some of the best as we rightly remember our Great and Good God and those He put into our lives to teach us to give as He has always given. A former pastor used to remind me to keep an "attitude of gratitude" - it is the best way to ... remember rightly.